Just as the regions within the subcontinent were not isolated from one another, so too, contact with lands beyond the seas and mountains had existed for millennia. One axis of understanding the significance of these connections that is frequently adopted is to focus on the religions of ruling elites. Later (c. thirteenth century) the Turks and Afghans established the Delhi Sultanate. This was followed by the formation of Sultanates in the Deccan and other parts of the subcontinent; Islam was an acknowledged religion of rulers in several areas. This continued with the establishment of the Mughal Empire in the sixteenth century as well as in many of the regional states that emerged in the eighteenth century.
Lines left out just before the sentence beginning 'Later (c. thirteenth century)' describe an earlier event. Which event is it?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → In 711 Muhammad Qasim, an Arab general, conquered Sind, which became part of the Caliph's domain.
Option (1) In 711 Muhammad Qasim, an Arab general, conquered Gujarat, which became part of the Caliph's domain. — Incorrect. The region is changed. Muhammad Qasim conquered Sind.
Option (2) In 811 Muhammad Qasim, an Arab general, conquered Multan, which became part of the Caliph's domain. — Incorrect. The year and the region are changed. The conquest was in 711, and the region was Sind.
Option (3) In 711 Muhammad Qasim, an Arab general, conquered Sind, which became part of the Caliph's domain. — Correct. In 711 the Arab general Muhammad Qasim conquered Sind, and it became part of the Caliph's lands. This came before the Delhi Sultanate of about the thirteenth century.
Option (4) In 711 Muhammad Qasim, a Turkish general, conquered Sind, which became part of the Sultan's domain. — Incorrect. Muhammad Qasim was an Arab general, and Sind joined the Caliph's domain. The Turks came much later, with the Delhi Sultanate.
NCERT (2026-27): “5.1 Faiths of rulers and subjects |